Moving from New Orleans, LA to Laredo, TX
Relocating 704 mi from New Orleans to Laredo is a 12h 49m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
704 mi · 12h 49m by car · LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 90, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from New Orleans to Laredo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Laredo run about 6.1% cheaper — ZHVI $242,493 → $220,331 (2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 19.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.9°F vs 75.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 3.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.1% higher in Laredo than New Orleans.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Laredo, TX from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 704 mi and the route typically takes 12h 49m via I 10 and US 90. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 704 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 9.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 14.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 6.1% lower than New Orleans (86.956 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 60.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Laredo, TX.